TGR 1000 will return to local shores for the first time since 2019. The race will be held in Jwaneng from June 23 to 25 as it makes a return to the mining town for the first time in five years. The 2023 edition of the race has been incorporated as a ‘Road to Dakar’ competition. ‘Mantshwabisi’ was held in Upington, South Africa (SA) in the last two years due to logistical glitches in Botswana. During the same period, the race was not used as a qualifier for the premier, Dakar Rally. As Mantshwabisi returns ‘home’, local competitors will be itching to score good times to book a ticket to the Dakar Rally. The three-day marathon event is a part of the South African Rally-Raid Championship (SARRC), which also forms part of the Botswana Motor Sport National Off-Road Championship. “The event will again incorporate the ‘Road to Dakar’ competition and with Toyota’s sponsorship, as part of the TGR 1000 Kalahari Botswana Desert Race, this competition opens the door for local competitors to achieve their dream as the prize is an entry to participate in the Dakar Rally,” SARRC CEO Archie Rutherford said in a statement.
The local terrain is among a few selected around the world and it promises to attract some of the continent’s elite competitors. ‘Mantshwabisi’ will feature a feast of national championship racing with round three of the SARRC and rounds two and three of the Botswana Motorsport BMS Championships. The roadmap has been issued to the competitors and they now face a gruelling but exciting 1,000km of racing. For the 2023 edition of the SARRC, competitors will have to take on a 61km prologue on Day One (Friday) to determine the starting order for the race on Day Two (June, 24) with the fastest 10 teams having the opportunity to draw and choose their starting positions. The route will consist of two loops of 220 kilometres that will take competitors to the east of Jwaneng towards Sese, Betesankwe, Tsonyane and Lefhoko before turning back to Jwaneng, while they will have to complete a 214 loop twice towards the south-western side of Jwaneng on Sunday.
